Church Events
February
- Friday 5th: W.I.N.G.S (Ladies) Meal Out
- Saturday 6th: Friends International Family Fun Afternoon
- Tuesday 16th: Midweek Teaching
- Thursday 18th: Midweek Teaching
- Monday 22nd: Church Prayer Meeting
March
- Friday 5th: W.I.N.G.S (Ladies) Soul Refreshment
- Tuesday 16th: Midweek Teaching
- Thursday 18th: Midweek Teaching
- Monday 22nd: Church Prayer Meeting
- Sunday 28th: Friends International Guest Service and Buffet
This Week's Notices
For a copy of this week's notices please email admin@newlifebaptist.org.uk
From the Editor's PC
The challenge of being a witness for Jesus
I have been thinking recently about being a witness for Jesus. This has been particularly with reference to my workplace, but also more generally wherever I might be. These thoughts were prompted by the prayer day at the end of January, during which I was thinking how New Life Baptist Church could reach out into the local community.
The starting point of my thinking was to reflect on “The Great Commission” – Jesus’ words to his disciples, recorded in Matthew 28 19: “Go and make disciples of all nations” – a tall order, but He added, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. The Lord has equipped us by filling us with His Holy Spirit so that we can be His witnesses.
For us to be effective witnesses we need to submit to the Lord. We are called to be “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12.1). We will then be transformed by the renewing of our mind and will be able to discern God’s will. His Spirit will give us perseverance and encouragement to press on serving Him. He will also provide us with the right words to say.
“The right words to say” - I find that I can live out what I believe, in terms of positive lifestyle, attitudes and actions, but stating verbally I am a Christian is often very difficult. Perhaps a “half way house” for me is to feel more confident by mentioning “church”. But I am feel that I need to be able to say honestly that I am a Christian. As I write these notes, I am reminded that I have attended a “Lost for Words” course that taught me some encouraging, basis facts of witnessing. I need to be able to “normal” and speak about my faith with the same degree of confidence as other things that are meaningful to me.
Our Church’s “mission statement” – “Reaching up, reaching out” – states succinctly that we need to trust the Lord and to look beyond ourselves. We need to be faithful and believe that the Lord will equip us with all that we need to witness for Him. When we do this, the Lord will show us how we can make Him know and how we should do this. Being filled with God’s love enables is to have faith and hope, and to be confident that we will be effective for Him.
As we look ahead, let us hold onto the fact that “He who begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1.6). He will provide the resources to make us positive witnesses for Him.
John Cattermole
Editor, New Life News
